Durness is a coastal parish, which lies in Highland Council Area, some 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Lairg and 41 miles (67 km) north of Ullapool in Highland.
It is located in the old county of Sutherland, which disappeared following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1974.
The parish has an area of 585.1 sq. km (225.9 sq. miles). Durness has 4 neighbouring parishes; namely Eddrachillis, Farr, Lairg and Tongue.